Forms become intrusive

Published: Friday, September 6, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 12:02 p.m.

Editor: Nonprofit businesses sometimes rely on volunteers for their day-to-day operations. Volunteers may serve for decades without their background being questioned. Traveling entertainment or historical events may be a major source of fundraising, and those companies may require an authorization for release of information from volunteers to protect their own interest. They claim it is to protect the children in attendance. Employees and public also attend these events without background checks.

I participated on five of the six available days last year for one such event without having to submit to any sort of background check. This year, however, the volunteers are required to submit to a specific legal agreement that states "… may include a check of my identity, work history, education history, credit history, driving records, any criminal history which may be in the files of any federal, state or local criminal agency, and a post offer search of workers' compensation claim history. … to inquire into my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. I further agree that should I accept an offer of employment, the company may need to update this information or conduct subsequent investigations from time to time during my employment and expressly authorize such acts."

We are volunteers. We are not employees. We are helping hands, not hired hands.

I think the required authorization for release is overly intrusive. A check of the BBB for the investigative company who is checking us out rated them a D on a scale of A+ to F. The score of D was a result of them failing to respond to a complaint.

Because of the "great number" of children who attend a decision was made to require the authorization for release to "protect the children" from the volunteers. I keyed in the city for this event on the National Sex Offender Registry and saw there are 90 registered offenders where this event is to take place. Who knows about the risks of the people off the grid?

To volunteer you are required to sign your name to the document as it is written. The nonprofit organization claims the investigative form is generic, and they are not allowed to tailor it to their specific need for probable risk for the event. The event is geared toward preschoolers with ticket costs of $24 for people over 2 years of age. That suggests an adult will accompany the child. Parents are our first line of protection.

So, as volunteers, how much of our own privacy and risk of the accuracy of such reports and the safekeeping of all this information are we willing to allow so we can have the "privilege" of serving?

If you don't mind the overly intrusive background checks for a six-day event and are satisfied with the safekeeping of the information gleaned, be thankful. If you do mind the intrusion and risks to your private information, it might be time to find a more fulfilling volunteer opportunity.

<p>Editor: Nonprofit businesses sometimes rely on volunteers for their day-to-day operations. Volunteers may serve for decades without their background being questioned. Traveling entertainment or historical events may be a major source of fundraising, and those companies may require an authorization for release of information from volunteers to protect their own interest. They claim it is to protect the children in attendance. Employees and public also attend these events without background checks.</p><p>I participated on five of the six available days last year for one such event without having to submit to any sort of background check. This year, however, the volunteers are required to submit to a specific legal agreement that states "… may include a check of my identity, work history, education history, credit history, driving records, any criminal history which may be in the files of any federal, state or local criminal agency, and a post offer search of workers' compensation claim history. … to inquire into my character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living. I further agree that should I accept an offer of employment, the company may need to update this information or conduct subsequent investigations from time to time during my employment and expressly authorize such acts."</p><p>We are volunteers. We are <B>not</B> employees. We are helping hands, not hired hands. </p><p>I think the required authorization for release is overly intrusive. A check of the BBB for the investigative company who is checking us out rated them a D on a scale of A+ to F. The score of D was a result of them failing to respond to a complaint.</p><p>Because of the "great number" of children who attend a decision was made to require the authorization for release to "protect the children" from the volunteers. I keyed in the city for this event on the National Sex Offender Registry and saw there are 90 registered offenders where this event is to take place. Who knows about the risks of the people off the grid?</p><p>To volunteer you are required to sign your name to the document as it is written. The nonprofit organization claims the investigative form is generic, and they are not allowed to tailor it to their specific need for probable risk for the event. The event is geared toward preschoolers with ticket costs of $24 for people over 2 years of age. That suggests an adult will accompany the child. Parents are our first line of protection. </p><p>So, as volunteers, how much of our own privacy and risk of the accuracy of such reports and the safekeeping of all this information are we willing to allow so we can have the "privilege" of serving?</p><p>If you don't mind the overly intrusive background checks for a six-day event and are satisfied with the safekeeping of the information gleaned, be thankful. If you do mind the intrusion and risks to your private information, it might be time to find a more fulfilling volunteer opportunity.</p><p>Jackie Taylor</p><p>Lexington</p>